Rótarskot

Writers from an immigrant background and academics from The Árni Magnússon Institute come together on the closing day of Reykjavík Arts Festival in the magnificent new House of Icelandic, Edda.

The Icelandic language is entwined with the history of the people who have called this island home through the ages - in poverty and abundance, joy and sorrow, faced with natural and political unrest. Now, with approximately a fifth of the population being first or second generation immigrants, a growing number of individuals are embracing the language in fresh and innovative ways. Which words and concepts do we need in order to capture new realities? Can the development of our language keep up with an ever-changing society? Which possibilities open up when larger and more diverse groups of people use the Icelandic language?

At this event in Edda, guests are invited to engage with writers who express themselves in Icelandic as a second language, hear discussions on the language’s ongoing evolution and experience Landnáma as updated for our times. Please note that the event is conducted in Icelandic.

Partners: Árnastofnun and Borgarbókasafnið

Programme:

Introduction – Pedro Gunnlaugur Garcia introduces the new Landnáma

Conversation - Dögg Sigmarsdóttir, Martyna Daniel and Ágústa Þorbergsdóttir discuss new words and linguistic creativity

Poetry – Ewa Marcinek and Helen Cova

Conversation and readings – Mao Alheimsdóttir and Elías Knörr share their experience of writing in Icelandic and read some of their work

The new Landnáma